Fence post insulator



8- 1970 R. J. ZEEB' I 3,524,923

FENCE POST INSULATOR Filed Feb. 6, 1969 ZB/IO INVENTOR.

RH/NHOLD J. ZEEB BY I f or (I A TTORNEY United States Patent 3,524,923 FENCE POST INSULATOR Rhinhold J. Zeeb, Lesterville, S. Dak. 57040 Filed Feb. 6, 1969, Ser. No. 797,152 Int. Cl. H01b 17/16, 17/24 US. Cl. 174-163 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to electric fencing and more particularly to a novel and improved fence post insulator for supporting electric fence wire.

Electric-type fencing is becoming more and more common for livestock containment on cattle ranches and the like. Preferably the most economical and reliable fencing employs a metal T-shaped post having a series of projections along one side to support strands of wire. In order to string electric wire between posts some form of insulator is attached to the post and the wire is secured to the insulator so that the insulator will electrically isolate the post from the wire which carries electric current. In the past these insulators and their manner of attachment have not been entirely satisfactory for all applications and particularly they have not been entirely satisfactory for metal T-shaped posts and therefore have required constant attention.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a novel and improved insulator for electric fence wire which can be readily and firmly attached to a fence post and particularly metal T-shaped fence posts.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved electric insulator which can be firmly mounted on a variety of shapes and types of fence posts including wood fence posts.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an insulator body made with a relatively broad base having a central recess to be placed over a rib on the post to fit closely against the outer surface thereof and spaced flanges opposite of one another on the base to facilitate its rigid attachment to the post as with holddown wires. A narrower cantilever portion projects outwardly from the base and has the fence wire wrapped in an annular recess adjacent its outer end in stringing the electric wire between posts.

Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the present invention will be more apparent as the description proceeds taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a fence post insulator embodying features of the present invention shown as mounted on a length of a fence post.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a front end elevation view of the postmounted fence insulator shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, a fence post insulator 10 embodying features of the present invention is shown as mounted on a length of conventional metal fence post 11, the fence post being of generally T-shaped crosssection including a flange portion F and a stern portion S together with a series of spaced projections or rib portions R arranged along the outer surface of the flange portion. Typically, metal fence posts also have outer fillings a and b between the stem and the ribs and inner fillings c and d between the flange and the stem.

The insulator 10 is preferably formed as an integral body composed entirely of an electric insulator material such as a hard rubber, ceramic or plastic and generally includes a base portion 13 to engage the post and cantilever portion 14 projecting outwardly from the base portion to receivably engage the fence wire. The base portion 13 is relatively broad as compared to the remainder of the insulator for a broad contact with the post and has a central recess or groove 15 in its bottom or post-engaging surface to receive one rib R of the post and form a loose tongue and groove-like joint with these mating parts as best shown in FIG. 2. The base portion has tapered or inclined surfaces 15a extending vertically of the base so that the recess flares outwardly adjacent the outer ends so as to conform to the fillings a and b above described.

Spaced upper and lower flanges 17 and 18 which terminate short of the adjacent ribs R are formed as a part of the base at its upper and lower ends to attach it to the post. A preferred tie-down type fastening arrangement for the base includes a recess 19 which extends across the outer surface of each of the flanges into which a tie-down or hold-down wire 21 for the upper flange and a hold-down wire 22 for the lower flange is seated; each wire being wrapped around the post and braided together at the ends to provide a tight-fitting attachment of the base portion to the fence post. It is understood that other fasteners may also be used such as bolts threaded through the flange and into the fence but the wire tie-down arrangement as shown provides a quick and reliable fastener for the insulator to the fence post particularly in the field.

The cantilever portion 14 generally has a larger section which tapers inwardly away from the base portion and a smaller straight section at its outer end. A groove or recess 23 is formed circumferentially of the outer surface of the cantilever portion adjacent its outer end which provides a guide or seat for a current-carrying wire 24 which extends along its upper surface and is wrapped in one or a plurality of complete loops in the groove and then continues on to the next adjoining post. In this manner the wire can follow a lower course by first extending along the underside of the cantilever portion and loop over the cantilever portion and then return along the underside of the cantilever portion to continue outwardly from the opposite side of the insulator along a lower course.

In addition there is provided a central recess or bore or hole 26 through which a nail-type fastener or spike may be driven to attach the insulator to a wooden post or the like with the broad base aiding in establishing a better connection thereon. The cantilever portion as shown is a generally oblong or square shape in crosssection. However, it is understood that this shape may vary and may be generally cylindrical as well.

What is claimed is:

1. A fence post insulator adapted for mounting on a fence post to support a strand of electric fence wire comprising an integral body composed of an electric insulator material, said body including a relatively broad essentially oblong base having a pair of oppositely disposed upper and lower flanges each provided with a laterally extending wire receiving groove for direct attachment to the post to secure said body to the post, an elongated cantilever portion extending outwardly from the base and having a tapered section tapering inwardly from the inner side of said wire receiving grooves toward its outer end and a relatively straight terminal section at its outer end with a peripheral annular groove disposed at the juncture of the tapered section and said terminal section to receive a loop in a strand of the electric wire for supporting the wire in spaced relation to the post, said body provided with a recess centrally of said base to receive a rib on the post and a central longitudinal hole extending through said body to receive 4 a nail-type fastener to be driven into a wooden post and the like to fasten the insulator thereto.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,618,685 11/1952 Lewis. 2,688,654 9/ 1954 Bussmann.

FOREIGN PATENTS 261,220 1/ 1964 Australia. 1,142,510 4/ 1957 France. 1,194,237 5/1959 France.

345,266 12/ 1921 Germany. 1,27 6,725 10/ 1961 France.

LARAMIE E. ASKIN, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

